networkinthenight | [audio] @msolis; [open]

[The voice in the audio clip is quiet, weary, and a little bit nervous. She gets right to the point, though—small talk isn't really Dr. Solis' thing.]

Hello, everyone. My name is Dr. Maridel Solis. I... apologize, as I am never sure how to best introduce myself. I am the last surviving native of this world, and I am the scientist responsible for the portal. I created the lighthouse, the lanterns, and I repair the lanterns of the dead. I think it's about time we began working together.

I'm sure you all have many questions for me. I will do my best to answer as best I can, but first, allow me to explain a few things.

I imagine some among you will be cross with me for lurking behind the scenes for so long. During the first few resets, I made my presence known right from the start. Problems arose rather immediately—it's quite a shock, as I'm sure you all will understand, to find yourself in a place such as this. Too much, too soon... This is an impossible situation we've found ourselves in, and the full scope of it is too likely to turn fear into panic. I do my best not to shout fire! in a crowded theater these days, for everyone's safety.

In any case, please know that I am truly sorry that you have found yourselves in this place, and I'm grateful for your help.

The second reason for my seclusion is that, frankly, I've been quite busy. Busy with research, with lantern crafting and repair... It's easier for me to continue my work while separated from the rest of the town until I am ready to present my findings to the townspeople for help.

During the attack on the town this past November, Robin was given a lantern by the green-eyed spirits. The thing was in pieces, barely recognizable as a lantern, and as such, it's taken me until recently to identify its owner, but—this lantern belonged to a lighthouse keeper from many years ago. One of the best we've had, in fact. What's more is, I believe I may be able to revive him.

The revival will take time, as I still have many preparations to make before we can begin the process. In the meantime, I would very much like to hear from anyone with a background in the sciences, magical or otherwise. Your skills and knowledge sets may be of use, as I will have need for materials I believe can be found in Beacon, although I'm at an impasse as to what, precisely, those materials might be. For now, I would simply like to get a scope of what other capable minds we have among us so that I may best understand how to utilize our strengths.

Regarding the incident on the ferry: frightening as though the forest spirit prank was, I assure you, it's nothing to be alarmed by. The portal is unstable, and occasionally its schedule fluctuates. I believe that is all that happened in this case; the forest spirit, ahem, corpses are... unrelated. Pranksters getting carried away with themselves.

When the next batch of new arrivals will show, I can't be certain. We'll simply have to wait and see what the next ferry brings, though I doubt the portal will keep us waiting for too long. It never does.

As I've said, I imagine you have questions for me, and I am happy to answer as best I can. I will... set up an inbox for myself, I suppose. I'll be sure to make that information available on the network directory.

Stay safe.

[The audio feed clicks off. Attached to the message is a written transcript of the whole broadcast.

ooc: More information about the lantern revival plot will be available in the future! Right now, she's just collecting data... Dr. Solis will need assistance from many different skillsets, so there's room for everyone to get involved at some stage! No worries if your character isn't a huge nerd.

Also, the game history page has been updated!]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

( to say dean's suspicious ... well, it's less of an understatement and more that it's just his natural state of being. he doesn't exactly buy the whole good samaritan act. as far as he's concerned, there's always an ulterior motive with these type of people. that, and he's seen inside her head. )

Dr. Solis. I have something of yours.

( but he's not about to give it up until he's convinced she's not going to fuck them all over. )

This is Rosinante. For now I just want to thank you for all the work you've been doing. We owe you a great deal.

[There's so much he wants to know. The Nowhere Islands were desecrated because a grown child saw it as his toybox. Life was tampered, and everyone suffered for it. Here is the person responsible for their situation. Dr. Solis isn't outwardly malicious, but everyone he heard she has done leaves a bad taste in his mouth, like meat having left it's period of freshness.

He wonders is he has anything worth saying. Smart questions and decisions were never his strong suite.]

Why?

Why did you create those portals?

Dr. Solis. I've seen your lab, in a manner of speaking. While the nature of my... presence there has not left me able to retain many details, I recall finding your work impressive enough, despite the end results.

[ He remembers it dimly, if not in detail. Unable to recreate the formulas and calculations, though he's aware of their nature. Quantum physics, and impressive results... with disastrous consequences. The printers...

Sun.exe. Not a good memory, that. ]

My name is Castiel. I have... some questions regarding the apparently unique nature with which your lantern has encased my... essence for lack of a better word. If you'd be amenable to a conversation on the topic, I can offer my assistance to you in return.

[ Does she know his lantern has entrapped his grace, his source of power? Did she design it so that using his powers can not just leave him tapped, but actually kill him as the light goes out? Is this a malfunction, a punishment?

Questions. Many of them. ]

Thank you for doing this, Dr. Solis.

If you ever need a hand in the, um, revival project(?), let me or the others know? My arc energy can interact with most machinery well enough. So if there's ever a power outage or something, I'm a potential battery.

[ Vanitas grips is tablet like he could be holding her voice in his hands, like he could keep it safe, even though all he's every done is destroy everything he's ever touched. Finally, eventually, he finds the voice to speak. What she says makes sense, but all the important information pales against what Vanitas himself thinks is the most critical. ]

You're safer away from all these losers.

Doctor. I hope the general population has not been annoying you through the post.

Solis?

[Link knows that there are clever questions he could ask, but the one that gnaws at him most is why? Why the portals? Why is he here?

His conversation with Rastus is still fresh in his mind.]

...Is it true that the portals are some kinda experiment you lost control over? Is that really why we're here?

It's all just...a terrible mistake?

Did you try to recreate the Sun?

Edited 2020-03-04 00:52 (UTC)

[ There's the long, low purr of ripping gauze. Riku reaches over to flick a finger at the back of Vanitas's ear. Hold still, he's trying to change a bandage here. ]

You can just say you're worried about her.

[ The audio muffles when Vanitas covers the microphone with his hand, rendering whatever comes next incompehensible noise. He twists around to shoot Riku a nasty look, upsetting his attempts to rebandage him. ]

Shut up!

[ SHOVING HIM BACK DOWN???? ]

Hold still!

Teach me how to repair lanterns.

Don't ask for the impossible.

I'm an engineer. If you would share what you know, I'll volunteer my services.

Oh?

[There's some genuine confusion. It's not like she leaves her stuff lying around town.]

And what might that be?

Ah, Rosinante. Hello.

The thanks are appreciated. How is your friend?

[Ah, yes, the burning question.]

Curiosity, to put it simply. The pursuit of knowledge. We had an opportunity to rewrite our understanding of the universe.

Thank you, Castiel. Do you mean that you saw my lab in a dream last November?

[She heard that was a thing.]

Of course, I'll do my best to answer your questions. What would you like to know?

It's my pleasure, Daylight, and that is quite good to know! Does your arc energy act only as a generator, or are there other functions to it?

[A small pause.]

I hope you're well.

[SCIENCE, YOU SAY?]

If you've always had access to the network, then I'll assume you already know who I am.
That's not meant to be arrogance, I'm aware that I post often enough, and unnecessary introductions are a waste of time.
If you want our assistance with your broken lantern project, we'll need to know quite a bit about it.
Should I take this to mean that you're willing to share that information?

[So what Ros said but public and way longer.]

What do you mean?

Ah, excellent. What sort of experience do you have?

Hello again, sir. On the contrary, I've received some very thoughtful letters. The network may be quicker, but I've always been a fan of a good, old-fashioned letter.

[There's a faint chuckle on Dr. Solis' end. Oh, boys.]

I am, that's true. Rewards don't come without risk, though, I'm afraid. It's no longer advantageous for me to stay in hiding.

You don't need to worry about me, child. Though I appreciate the thought.

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[audio] @msolis; [open]

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